"Well! I'm on the road, I'm on the road!" Robert fetched a sigh.
"I didn't make the road," said his father.
"No, sir; you didn't. Work hard: sleep sound that's happiness. I've known it for a year. You're the man I'd imitate, if I could. The devil came first the brandy's secondary. I was quiet so long. I thought myself a safe man."
He sat down and sent his hair distraught with an effort at smoothing it.
"Women brought the devil into the world first. It's women who raise the devil in us, and why they—"
He thumped the table just as his aunt Anne was preparing to spread the cloth.
"Don't be frightened, woman," said Jonathan, seeing her start fearfully back. "You take too many cups of tea, morning and night—hang the stuff!"
"Never, never till now have you abused me, Jonathan," she whimpered, severely.
"I don't tell you to love him; but wait on him. That's all. And I'll about my business. Land and beasts—they answer to you."
Robert looked up.